Efficacy of high‐intensity focused ultrasound in facial and neck rejuvenation

Abstract

Background: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has recently been introduced in the treatment of facial wrinkles and laxity. Objective:The purpose of the study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of HIFU in facial and neck rejuvenation.Methods: High-intensity focused ultrasound treatment was performed on face and neck by using two different probes with focal depth of 3 mm and 4.5 mm. Two independent, blinded clinicians evaluated the clinical improvement at 3 months after treatment. The patients also scored their satisfaction with the treatment. Adverse effects were assessed up to 3 months post-treatment.Results: Seventy-five patients (73 female, 2 male) with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes 2-4 were enrolled in the study. After treatment, improvement in nasolabial, jawline, submental, and neck areas was separately evaluated. The rate of improvement in each area was more than 80% according to the physicians' assessment, while patients' satisfaction degree in each area was over 78%. Most common adverse effect was pain, reported in 25.3% of the patients during the procedure while transient erythema was reported in 6.7%. Both resolved spontaneously after the procedure.Only one patient complained development of numbness on right mandibular region which resolved spontaneously within 10 days. Conclusion:High-intensity focused ultrasound can be an effective noninvasive treatment modality in facial and neck rejuvenation with an acceptable safety profile.

Effectiveness of high intensity micro-focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for non- surgical facial and body contouring: A systematic review of Prospective and Experimental Studies.

“…Both studies on the facial region evaluated patient satisfaction. 24,26 Shome et al 24 used a subjective assessment scale at 6 months and Aşiran Serdar et al 26 performed assessment at 3 months after treatment for each area. The patients scored their satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 4, ranging from not satisfied to very satisfied.…”

“…Transient erythema and numbness in the mandibular region were reported as adverse events that were temporary and resolved spontaneously within 10 days. 26…”

Radiofrequency irradiation attenuates angiogenesis and inflammation in UVB‐induced rosacea in mouse skin

“…Several inflammatory proteins activate keratinocytes and activated keratinocytes express VEGF, which is important for angiogenesis. [ 19 ] Furthermore, the targeting of angiogenesis is known to be a successful therapeutic strategy for rosacea. [ 21 ] Therefore, we performed cell migration, tube formation and cell proliferation assays on mouse endothelial cells (SVEC4‐10) exposed to different RF conditions, namely, 8 watt (W) to 12 W for 80‐120 ms Best results were obtained at 10 W, 100 ms, and thus, these conditions were used for the assays (Figures ).…”

“…Several reports have suggested that RF irradiation be viewed as an alternative treatment option, but all have cited clinical experiences without experimental data. [ 18,19,37 ] Empirically, we found that radiofrequency irradiation in clinical trials conducted on rosacea patients could improve rosacea lesions similar to those with IPL or pulsed dye lasers and the radiofrequency irradiation reduces heating sensation, which is the most uncomfortable symptom among the various symptoms that rosacea patients complain. The present study provides experimental results and evidence that supports the use of RF for the treatment of rosacea (Figure 4 and Figure ).…”

“…[ 16 ] Systemic antibiotics or topical agents can suppress inflammation associated with erythema lesions and telangiectasia, but only to limited extents. [ 17 ] Several studies have reported radiofrequency (RF) irradiation is clinically effective in rosacea, [ 18‐20 ] but few studies have reported experimental evidence on the molecular effects of RF irradiation.…”